Headwear with multiple chemical warmer modules

ABSTRACT

Disposable headwear with multiple chemical warmer modules is intended to be worn once and then thrown away. It includes: (a) a disposable webbing adapted to fit at least a portion of a head/neck area of a person, the webbing being flexible and heat permeable and air permeable, the webbing being adapted to fit onto or over a person&#39;s head; (b) at least one elastic band connected to the webbing for holding the webbing on at least a portion of a head/neck area of a person; and (c) a plurality of chemical warmer modules permanently connected to the webbing and located in different positions to distribute heat in a predetermined pattern. The disposable headwear webbing may be an open mesh netting, a spun web, a woven web and a perforated sheet. Other mats and webbings, such as chopped sand dropped webbing could also be used.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to improved devices for warming the headand neck areas of people otherwise exposed to cold. The devices aredisposable and are worn under headgear and neckgear, and may be used byanyone exposed to cold, including sports activists, such as skiers,snowboarders, skaters, ice fishermen, sledders, snowmobilers, hunters,etc. and people who want or need to be outdoors, such as constructionworkers, snow removal personnel, military, police, rescue personnel,pedestrians, children playing outdoors, etc.

2. Information Disclosure Statement

The following patents relate to the general art pertaining to thepresent invention:

U.S. Pat. No. 4,729,132 to Mark F. Fierro describes a sports helmet thathas a resilient, cushioned lining in the interior having at least onepocket in a rear portion containing an air-activated heat-generatingelement. The helmet is fabricated with an adjustable interior lininghaving a plurality of places which fit into the interior of the helmetshell. A nose and mouth-covering portion of the lining is constructedfrom two separate lining members having a plurality of strategicallylocated hook-and-listeners which enable the lining interior to be customshaped to fit the face of each wearer. The lining members form a conduitto side vents in the helmet, thereby, preventing exhalation from foggingthe transparent face shield of the helmet.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,269,023 to Eugene B. Ross describes a body warmingdevice that is disclosed which warms a person's hands or other bodyportion that includes a flattened tubular covering having open endswhich lead to hand warming pockets on opposing sides of a heater pouchcontaining an air activated heat pack. An air tight compartment providesfor deactivation and storage of the heat pack for reuse. Covering may befastened in a first configuration wherein heater pouch is inside thetubular covering for warming the hands, and a second configurationwherein the heater pouch is on the outside of the covering for directplacement and warming of other portions of the body as a therapeuticdevice.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,375,261 to Daniel R. Lipke describes a dickie of agenerally cylindrical configuration comprising an upper extent formedwith a neck opening of a cylindrical configuration for passage of awearer's head and having a reduced diameter, the neck opening having aturned over upper end and a pair of knitted layers with downwardlyextending lower ends. An intermediate extent is formed in the shape of acone having a reduced upper diameter formed as integral extensions ofthe lower portion of the upper extent and having an enlarged lowerdiameter with an increasing diameter from the upper diameter to thelower diameter, the intermediate extent being formed as a pair ofknitted layers. A lower extent is formed as a body opening and has acylindrical configuration with an enlarged diameter, the body openingincluding a pair of knitted upper ends formed as integral extensions ofthe lower ends of the intermediate extent.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,557,807 to Jerry Hujar et al. describes an article ofheadwear for covering the head, such as a hat, cap, or helmet, includingcoolant means for cooling the head of the wearer, and more particularly,cooling means which provide a prolonged cooling effect. The coolantmeans is contained in one or more pouches comprised of two layers ofdifferent materials, the first or outer material being a thin materialhaving good thermal transmissive properties and preferably also havingsome water resistant properties, and the second of inner materialprovided interior of the first material and having thermal insulativeproperties. These layers, used in combination, have an effect ofabsorbing heat from the head of the wearer without at the same timeabsorbing excessive heat from the environment, and thus provide asustaining cooling effect. A heat releasing means can be substituted inplace of the coolant means when it is desired to warm the head of thewearer.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,809,573 to Susan Bary describes an article of headgearthat has a headband portion and ear covering portions which cover theears of the wearer and pair of open ended pockets in the ear coveringportions which removably receive and carry a packet of exothermic heatdispensing material to warm the ears of the wearer. In a firstembodiment, the headband is formed of a pair of curved bands ofresilient flexible material curved to fit over the top of the person'shead and slidably connected in overlapped relation such that the lengthof the headband portion may be adjusted to fit various head sizes, andthe ear covering portions are ear pads secured on the outer ends of theheadband. In a second embodiment, the headband is a continuous circularconfiguration formed of flexible, elastic material which encircle theperson's head and the laterally opposed ear covering portions andpockets are integrally formed on the circular headband. In a thirdembodiment, the article is in the form of a cap having a crown portionwhich covers the top of the head of the wearer above the ears and ishemmed at the bottom end to form a circular headband portion whichcovers the ears of the wearer. The packets of exothermic heat dispensingmaterial are activated by exposing them to air, kneading them, orpuncturing an inner bag to initiate the heat generating chemicalreaction prior to placing them into the pockets.

Notwithstanding the prior art, the present invention is neither taughtnor rendered obvious thereby.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a disposable headwear with multiple chemicalwarmer modules, intended to be worn once and then thrown away. By“multiple chemical warmer modules” it is meant either a plurality ofseparate modular units or a continuous grid that is one unit with aplurality of divided modular units contained therein but structurallyisolated from one another, or a combination of the foregoing. Typically,it will be worn under a normal head covering, and/or neck or chincovering, such as a cap, hat, hardhat, kerchief, helmet, hood, scarf,dickie, earmuffs and hat, and other head/neckwear apparel. The presentinvention disposable headwear includes: (a) a disposable webbing adaptedto fit at least a portion of a head/neck area of a person, the webbingbeing flexible and heat and air permeable, the webbing being adapted tofit onto or over a person's head; (b) at least one elastic bandconnected to the webbing for holding the webbing on at least a portionof a head/neck area of a person; and (c) a plurality of chemical warmermodules permanently connected to the webbing and located in differentpositions to distribute heat in a predetermined pattern.

The disposable headwear utilizes webbing that may be broadly taken toinclude synthetic, natural and combination synthetic and natural webs,mats, sheets, weaves and combinations thereof. Thus, the webbing may beselected from the group consisting of an open mesh netting, a spun web,a woven web and a perforated sheet. Other mats and webbings, such aschopped sand dropped webbing could also be used. The webbing may be madeof material selected from the group consisting of cellulosic material,plastic material, and combinations thereof. The webbing could also bemade of other natural materials, other synthetic materials or acombination thereof. Disposable surgical headwear could be used as thewebbing material, as could paper headcovers. Alternatively, a laminateof different materials, or a mat of natural material such as grass,cotton or the like could be used. Natural or synthetic adhesives couldbe used, and, in many cases, other binding techniques such as sewing,heat welding, chemical binding, etc. could be used. In some preferredembodiments of the present invention disposable headwear, the webbing isbiodegradable.

The webbing, elastic band(s) and plurality of chemical warmer modulesmay be held together mechanically, e.g. sewn, or by structuralarrangement and positioning of the parts, with adherent materials, orcombinations of these or any other known or available means ofattachment. For example, a warm web mat could be blown, spun or dropped,the band and/or modules positioned thereon as desired, and cooled tobond to itself and the modules as desired, or otherwise attached, tocreate a present invention disposable headwear.

The disposable headwear may have any shape that fits all or any part ofthe head and/or neck areas, and, although not limited thereto, shouldpreferably emulate the shape of or a portion of the shape of head orneck apparel so as to be worn under it. Thus, in some embodiments, thewebbing has a dome shape adapted to be worn under a hat. In otherembodiments, the webbing has a dome shape with a rear downwardlyprojected section for covering ears and upper back neck areas and isadapted to be worn under a hat of corresponding shape, such as ahunter's cap with ear flaps. Alternatively, the webbing may be in theshape of a band and has an upper elastic band and a lower elastic bandand is adapted to be worn around a neck, a neck/chin area, aneck/chin/mouth area, or other head area combinations, with or withoutcovering the nose or ears.

Structurally, the disposable headwear webbing may be a webbing with anoutside surface to which the plurality of chemical warmer modules areattached, or a webbing with an inside surface to which the plurality ofchemical warmer modules are attached, or a webbing with at least oneinner layer and at least one outer layer and the plurality of chemicalwarmer modules are sandwiched therebetween.

The disposable headwear chemical warmer modules may be square orrectangular, or may include at least one such module having anon-rectangular shape, e.g. wherein the plurality of chemical warmermodules includes at least one such module having a circular shape, atriangular shape or a trapezoidal shape. Other shapes (symmetrical orasymmetrical) and combinations of any shapes are also contemplated,although circular modules are ideal for headtop, triangular andtrapezoidal are preferred for circumventing all or part of a head.Alternatively, a continuous strip grid or loop with isolated modularunits therein, could supplant all or part of the foregoing.

In some preferred embodiments, the present invention disposable headwearwith multiple chemical warmer modules, includes:

(a) a disposable webbing adapted to fit at least a portion of ahead/neck area of a person, the webbing being flexible and heatpermeable and air permeable, the webbing being adapted to fit onto orover a person's head;

(b) at least one elastic band connected to the webbing for holding thewebbing on at least a portion of a head/neck area of a person;

(c) a plurality of chemical warmer modules permanently connected to thewebbing and located in different positions to distribute heat in apredetermined pattern, the pattern being symmetrical to at least onereference selected from the group consisting of a central axis, a frontto back vertical plane, and a left to right vertical plane.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention should be more fully understood when thespecification herein is taken in conjunction with the drawings appendedhereto wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a front view of a present invention disposableheadwear device to be worn under a hat;

FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of a present invention disposableheadwear device to be worn under a helmet with a chin guard, such as aracing or motorcycle helmet;

FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of a present invention disposableheadwear device to be worn under a hat or helmet, such as a hunter's capwith ear flaps or under a helmet with or without a chin strap;

FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of a present invention disposableheadwear device to be worn under a chin warmer, such as a skier's chinband that extends down and around the neck area and/or the mouth, noseand ears;

FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 illustrate various partial side cut views of differentpresent invention disposable headwear devices showing relationshipsbetween the webbing and the chemical warmer modules;

FIG. 8 illustrates a partial top view of a present invention disposableheadwear device illustrating spun fiber webbing over modules;

FIG. 9 illustrates a partial top view of a present invention disposableheadwear device illustrating mesh webbing over modules and,

FIG. 10 shows a continuous grid-based multiple module component forpresent invention devices.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

FIG. 1 illustrates a front view of a present invention disposableheadwear device 10 to be worn under a hat, cap or other headwear.Present invention device 10 is dome-shaped and includes a webbing madeof horizontal (circular) strands such as strand 12, and vertical(radial) strands such as strand 14. These strands may be evenly spacedor randomly spaced, and are connected to one another by any known meanssuch as, for example, those discussed in the summary above. Likewise,they may be made or formed of any of the materials discussed above,although biodegradable cellulosic material is preferred. On theunderside of and connected to these strands is a plurality of chemicalwarmer modules such as trapezoidally-shaped modules 24, 26, 32, 34 and36, and circular module 22 at apex 16. At its base, device 10 has acircular elastic band 18 connected to the strands of the webbing forsecuring device 10 to a head, much like a shower cap. A conventional hator other headwear apparel is then worn over it.

Modules, such as the chemical warmer modules 24, 26 etc. may be made ofpaper or other “teabag” material and contain chemicals that create acontrolled prolonged exothermal chemical reaction to create heat forwarming a head area. When a user comes out of the cold or is finishedwith the device or the device is spent, the device is conventionallydiscarded.

These chemical warmer modules typically last for six hours or more, andare activated by exposure to the oxygen in the atmosphere, and, hence,the present inventions are packed in air free or substantially air freepackaging. The particular chemical constituents and ratios and totalamounts of the chemical warmer modules are well within the purview ofthe artisan. For example, the formulations and teabagging of thechemicals, as well as the sealed packaging of the finished product areavailable to the artisan in U.S. Pat. No. 3,976,049, incorporated hereinby reference in its entirety.

FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of a present invention disposableheadwear device 100 to be worn under a helmet with a chin guard, such asa racing or motorcycle helmet. Present invention 100 has spun strandwebbing throughout, and includes a top dome section 1 with chemicalwarmer modules such as modules 21, 23, 25 and 27, and top elastic band 11. It also has a midsection 3 with webbing and with chemical warmermodules such as modules 29 and 31, and elastic band 13 located betweenmidsection 3 and chin section 5. Chin section 5 has warmer modules suchas module 35 and has a chin elastic band 15. Below this is neck section9 that includes a back-of-head area 7, modules, such as module 37, and abottom neck elastic band 17. This present invention device 100 isslipped over the head and worn under a racing helmet, motorcycle helmetor ski head, chin and neckwear.

FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of a present invention disposableheadwear device 300 to be worn under a hat or helmet, such as a hunter'scap with ear flaps or under a helmet such as a hockey helmet with a chinstrap. It includes a top webbing 101 and various warming modules, suchas modules 111, 113 and 115, a top elastic band 103 an earflap section105, with chemical warming modules such as modules 117 and 119, and abottom band 107 with optional elastic chin strap 109.

FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of a present invention disposableheadwear device 400 to be pulled over the head and worn under a chinwarmer, such as a skier's chin band, sometimes referred to as a gaiter,that extends down and around the neck area, covering one or more of theneck, chin, mouth, nose and ear areas. It has webbing (woven, flexibleelastic fabric) with vertical weaves 151 and horizontal weaves 153,elastic bands 155 and 159 for firm fittage about the chin, back of headand neck, and has a plurality of chemical warmer modules such as modules161, 163 and 165.

FIG. 5, 6 and 7 illustrate various partial side cut views of differentpresent invention disposable headwear devices showing some preferredrelationships between the webbing and the chemical warmer modules. InFIG. 5, H 1 schematically represents the head of a user, and the webbing201 of present invention device 500 is on the inside and the warmermodules, such as module 210, is positioned on the outside. Optionally, asecond heat modulating layer may be included adjacent the webbing 201.In FIG. 6, H 2 schematically represents the head of a user, and thewebbing 301 and 303 of present invention device 600 is on the inside andthe outside of the warmer modules, such as module 310, so that themodules are sandwiched between layers of webbing. In FIG. 7, H 3schematically represents the head of a user, and the webbing 401 ofpresent invention device 700 is on the outside and the warmer modules,such as module 410 is positioned on the inside.

FIG. 8 illustrates a partial top view of a present invention disposableheadwear device 800 illustrating spun fiber webbing 501 over modulessuch as module 510.

FIG. 9 illustrates a partial top view of a present invention disposableheadwear device 900 illustrating mesh webbing 601 over modules such asmodule 610.

FIG. 10 illustrates a present invention device 1000 that is a circularexpandable disposable apparel worn under, for example, a gaiter. Itincludes a flexible fabric web 1001, with upper and lower elastic bands1003 and 1005. Within the device 1000 are three grid strips 1007, 1008and 1009 that each contain isolated areas of active warmer chemicalssuch as module areas 1011, 1013, 1015 and 1017. These are located inseparate positions to distribute heat when the device is removed fromits air tight evacuated package for use.

As mentioned above, the concept of using a plurality of chemical warmermodules includes stand alone separate units, as well as separated unitsin a grid or strip, as here in FIG. 10. These grids could be linear,vertical, horizontal, angled, helixical, symmetrical, asymmetrical, etc.The individual module units could be isolated from one another by anymethod of creating separate pockets in an array. For example, two layerscould be used herein. A first layer is laid down, warmer chemicals areselectively placed in separate areas; a second layer or sheet is thenplaced atop this with gluing, heat sealing sewing, welding or any otherconnecting-pocket creating technique. Alternatively, the foregoing firsttwo steps could be used and then smaller patches attached over theindividual deposits of warmer chemicals. Many other fabrication methodsshould now be apparent to the artisan.

The present invention devices are uniquely suited for instant warming inotherwise cold environments, yet are inexpensive to fabricate becauseinexpensive disposable, e.g. natural and synthetic, materials such aspaper, cellulose and other low cost environmentally sound materials areused. Likewise, the spent chemicals of the warmers are natural materialsthat could fertilize or otherwise return to the earth.

Obviously, numerous modifications and variations of the presentinvention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is thereforeunderstood that within the scope of the appended claims, the inventionmay be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein.

1. Disposable headwear with multiple chemical warmer modules, whichcomprises: (a) a disposable webbing adapted to fit at least a portion ofa head/neck area of a person, said webbing being flexible and heat andair permeable, said webbing being adapted to fit onto or over a person'shead; (b) at least one elastic band connected to said webbing forholding said webbing on at least a portion of a head/neck area of aperson; (c) a plurality of chemical warmer modules permanently connectedto said webbing and located in different positions to distribute heat ina predetermined pattern.
 2. The disposable headwear of claim 1 whereinsaid webbing is selected from the group consisting of an open meshnetting, a spun web, a woven web and a perforated sheet.
 3. Thedisposable headwear of claim 1 wherein said webbing is made of materialselected from the group consisting of cellulosic material, plasticmaterial, natural material, synthetic material and combinations thereof.4. The disposable headwear of claim 1 wherein said webbing isbiodegradable.
 5. The disposable headwear of claim 1 wherein saidwebbing has a dome shape adapted to be worn under a hat.
 6. Thedisposable headwear of claim 1 wherein said webbing has a dome shapewith a rear downwardly projected section for covering ears and upperback neck areas and is adapted to be worn under a hat of correspondingshape.
 7. The disposable headwear of claim 1 wherein said webbing is inthe shape of a band and has an upper elastic band and a lower elasticband and is adapted to be worn around a neck and other face and headareas.
 8. The disposable headwear of claim 1 wherein said webbing is awebbing with an outside surface to which said plurality of chemicalwarmer modules are attached.
 9. The disposable headwear of claim 1wherein said webbing is a webbing with an inside surface to which saidplurality of chemical warmer modules are attached.
 10. The disposableheadwear of claim 1 wherein said webbing has at least one inner layerand at least one outer layer and said plurality of chemical warmermodules are sandwiched therebetween.
 11. The disposable headwear ofclaim 1 wherein said plurality of chemical warmer modules includes atleast one such module having a non-rectangular shape.
 12. The disposableheadwear of claim 11 wherein said plurality of chemical warmer modulesincludes at least one such module having a circular shape.
 13. Thedisposable headwear of claim 11 wherein said plurality of chemicalwarmer modules includes at least one such module having a triangularshape.
 14. The disposable headwear of claim 11 wherein said plurality ofchemical warmer modules includes at least one such module having atrapezoidal shape.
 15. Disposable headwear with multiple chemical warmermodules, which comprises: (a) a disposable webbing adapted to fit atleast a portion of a head/neck area of a person, said webbing beingflexible and heat and air permeable, said webbing being adapted to fitonto or over a person's head; (b) at least one elastic band connected tosaid webbing for holding said webbing on at least a portion of ahead/neck area of a person; (c) a plurality of chemical warmer modulespermanently connected to said webbing and located in different positionsto distribute heat in a predetermined pattern, said pattern beingsymmetrical to at least one reference selected from the group consistingof a central axis, a front to back vertical plane, and a left to rightvertical plane.
 16. The disposable headwear of claim 15 wherein saidwebbing is selected from the group consisting of an open mesh netting, aspun web, a woven web and a perforated sheet.
 17. The disposableheadwear of claim 15 wherein said webbing is made of material selectedfrom the group consisting of cellulosic material, plastic material,natural material, synthetic material and combinations thereof.
 18. Thedisposable headwear of claim 15 wherein said webbing is biodegradable.19. The disposable headwear of claim 15 wherein said webbing has a shapeselected from the group consisting of a dome shape adapted to be wornunder a hat, and a dome shape with a rear downwardly projected sectionfor covering ears and upper back neck areas and is adapted to be wornunder a hat of corresponding shape.
 20. The disposable headwear of claim15 wherein said webbing is in the shape of a band and has an upperelastic band and a lower elastic band and is adapted to be worn around aneck and other face and head areas.